Reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position indicator

ABSTRACT

A reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position indicator. The seat includes a seat frame for being attached to a supporting deck, a seat bottom carried by the seat frame, a seat back carried by the seat frame and moveable relative to the seat bottom between a fully upright and reclined positions, and a sensor for determining when the seat back is and is not in the fully upright position. A visual seat position indicator light is operatively associated with the sensor and positioned so as to be observed by a cabin attendant without having to directly observe the seat back for determining whether the seat back is in a fully upright position. The passenger seat may include an end bay for being positioned adjacent a passageway, and the visual seat position indicator light is positioned on the end bay, or the indicator lights may be mounted on one or more display panels.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a reclining passenger seat having avisual seat position indicator. The invention is intended to facilitatethe ability of, for example, flight attendants to easily determinewhether all passengers have moved their seats to a fully uprightposition when required for take-off, landing or at other required times.

[0002] The original concept originated in relation to complex,lay-flattype seats, and the difficulty that cabin crew have indetermining whether the seats are in the correct position for take offand landing. Presently, flight attendants must walk the aisles of anaircraft and visually observe the position of the individual seat backsin order to comply with Federal Aviation Administrations regulationsregarding the position of seat backs during take-off and landing. Thisis time-consuming and can be unreliable, particularly in large aircraftwith center-section coach class seating that includes six to eightconnected seats.

[0003] The present invention thus permits by a variety of differentmeans the positive detection of seat backs that are not in the requiredposition without the requirement that the flight attendants walk thelength of the aircraft for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide areclining passenger seat associated with a visual seat positionindicator.

[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a recliningpassenger seat having a visual seat position indicator thereon forobservation by an attendant.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a visual seatposition indicator that permits an attendant to determine the positionof seat backs of passenger seats without direct observation of the seatbacks.

[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a rrr thatpermits an attendant to determine the position of seat backs ofpassenger seats without walking past the seats to visually observe theposition of the seat backs.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a visual seatposition indicator that permits an attendant to determine the positionof seat backs of passenger seats from the flight deck, galley or otherlocation in an aircraft remote from the passenger cabin.

[0009] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved inthe preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a recliningpassenger seat having a visual seat position indicator, comprising aseat frame for being attached to a supporting deck, a seat bottomcarried by the seat frame, a seat back carried by the seat frame andmoveable relative to the seat bottom between a fully upright andreclined positions, and a sensor for determining when the seat back isand is not in the fully upright position. A visual seat positionindicator light is operatively associated with the sensor and positionedso as to be observed by a cabin attendant without having to directlyobserve the seat back for determining whether the seat back is in afully upright position.

[0010] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, thepassenger seat includes an end bay for being positioned adjacent apassageway, and the visual seat position indicator light is positionedon the end bay.

[0011] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, thesensor comprises a proximity switch.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, thesensor is adapted to detect when the seat back is not in the fullyupright position and to activate the light to provide a signal that theseat back is not in the fully upright position.

[0013] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,the visual seat position indicator comprises a light, and the sensor isadapted to detect when the seat back is in the fully upright positionand activate the light to provide a visual indication that the seat backis in the fully upright position.

[0014] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, apassenger seat group is provided comprising at least two recliningpassenger seats. The seat group has a visual seat position indicator,each of the passenger seats comprising a seat frame for being attachedto a supporting deck, a seat bottom carried by the seat frame, and aseat back carried by the seat frame and moveable relative to the seatbottom between the fully upright and reclined positions. A sensor isprovided for determining when the seat back is and is not in the fullyupright position. A visual seat position indicator is operativelyassociated with the sensor and positioned to be observed by a cabinattendant without direct observation of the seat back for determiningwhether the at least two seats are in a fully upright position.

[0015] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,the seat group includes an end bay for being positioned adjacent apassageway, and wherein the visual seat position indicator, for example,a proximity switch, is positioned on the end bay.

[0016] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,the visual seat position indicator comprises a light, and the sensor isadapted to detect when the seat back is not in a fully upright positionand activate the light to provide a signal that the seat back is not inthe fully upright position.

[0017] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,the visual seat position indicator comprises a light, and the sensor isadapted to detect when the seat back is in the fully upright positionand activate the light to provide a signal that the seat back is in thefully upright position.

[0018] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,the seat group comprises at three seats and the visual seat positionindicator includes a single indicator light adapted to activate when anyof the three seats is not in the fully upright position.

[0019] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,the visual seat position indicator includes a single indicator lightadapted to activate each of the three seats is in the fully uprightposition.

[0020] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,the visual seat position indicator includes three lights adapted toactivate to provide an indication of when a respective one of the threeseat backs is not in an upright position.

[0021] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,the visual seat position indicator includes three lights adapted toactivate to provide an indication of when a respective seat back is inan upright position.

[0022] An embodiment of the method of determining whether a recliningpassenger seat back is or is not in a fully upright position, comprisesthe steps of providing at least one reclining passenger seat having avisual seat position indicator, comprising a seat frame for beingattached to a supporting deck, a seat bottom carried by the seat frame,and a seat back carried by the seat frame and moveable relative to theseat bottom between a fully upright and reclined positions. A sensor isprovided for determining when the seat back is and is not in the fullyupright position. A visual seat position indicator is positioned at alocation to be observed by a cabin attendant without direct observationof the seat back for determining whether the seat is in a fully uprightposition. The visual seat back position indicator is observed from aposition remote from the seat to determine whether the seat back is in afully upright position.

[0023] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,the method includes the step of providing a plurality of passenger seatgroups, each seating group including a plurality of passenger seats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above.Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as theinvention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings, in which:

[0025]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a two-seat group with a visualseat position indicator mounted on the end bay of the seat group;

[0026]FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position indicatorshown in FIG. 1A, indicating that both seats are in the fully uprightposition;

[0027]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the two-seat group of FIG. 1A,with the seat back of the left-hand seat in a position other than afully upright position;

[0028]FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position indicatorshown in FIG. 2A, indicating that one of the two seats is not in thefully upright position;

[0029]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a three-seat coach class groupwith a visual seat position indicator mounted on the end bay of the seatgroup;

[0030]FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position indicatorshown in FIG. 3A;

[0031]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the three-seat group of FIG. 3A,with the seat back of the center seat in a position other than a fullyupright position;

[0032]FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position indicatorshown in FIG. 4A, indicating that one of the seats is not in the fullyupright position;

[0033]FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a three-seat coach class groupwith a three-light visual seat position indicator mounted on the end bayof the seat group;

[0034]FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position indicatorshown in FIG. 3A;

[0035]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the three-seat group of FIG. 5A,with the seat back of the center seat in a position other than a fullyupright position;

[0036]FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position indicatorshown in FIG. 4A, indicating that the center seat back is not in thefully upright position;

[0037]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a proximity switch-type sensor in aposition where the seat back is in the fully upright position;

[0038]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a proximity switch-type sensor in aposition where the seat back is not in the fully upright position; and

[0039]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an aircraft cabin showing aconfiguration where a display panel in a single location provides anindication of the seat back position of the seats in the cabin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

[0040] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a first classaircraft passenger seat group with a visual seat position indicatoraccording to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A and showngenerally at reference numeral 10. The seat group 10 includes twoindividual seats 11 and 12, each of which include a base 11A, 12A,respectively, that support the seat group 10 on the aircraft deck bymeans of track fasteners, as is conventional. Each seat also includes aseat bottom 11B, 12B and a reclinable seat back 11C, 12C, respectively.The seat group also includes an end bay 14 that serves as a side supportfor the seat 12 and provides both separation of the seat occupant andprotection of the seat components from luggage, serving carts andpassengers transiting the seat group 10 along an adjacent aisle.

[0041] In accordance with the invention, a small light assembly 16,comprising a mounting plate 17 and a single light 18, is mounted on theend bay so that it is visible from a position remote from the seat group10. The light 18 may be any suitable light source, preferably alight-emitting diode (“LED”), but also a small incandescent bulb.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,the light 18 is “off” when both of the seat backs 11C, 12C are properlyin their fully upright position, and the light 18 is “on” when either ofthe seat backs 11C or 12C is not in the fully upright position, as shownin FIGS. 2A, 2B The single indication given by the single light 18 issufficient to draw the attention of an attendant, who would then go tothe seat group 10 and request that the passenger in seat 11 raise theseat back 11C to the required position.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the invention is furtherillustrated and described with reference to a three seat coach classgroup 20. Seat group 20 includes a base 21 on which are mounted threeseats 22, 23 and 24. The seats 22, 23 and 24 include respective seatbottoms 22A, 23A, 24A, reclinable seat backs 22B, 23B and 24B,respectively, together with shared armrests 25A-D.

[0044] In accordance with the invention, a small light assembly 26,comprising a mounting plate 27 and a single light 28, is mounted on anend bay 29, formed from the frame of seat 22, so that the light 28 isvisible from a position remote from the seat group 20. As describedabove, the light 28 may be any suitable light source, preferably alight-emitting diode (“LED”), but also a small incandescent bulb.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the light 28 is “off” when all threeof the seat backs 22B, 23B, 24B are properly in their fully uprightposition. The light 28 is “on” when any one of the three seat backs 22B,23B, 24B is not in the fully upright position, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B.The single indication given by the single light 28 is sufficient to drawthe attention of an attendant, who would then go to the seat group 20and request that the passenger in seat 23 raise the seat back 23B to therequired position.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the invention is furtherillustrated and described with reference to a modification of the threeseat coach class group 20.

[0047] In accordance with the invention, a small light assembly 30,comprising a mounting plate 31 and a three lights 32, 33, 34, is mountedon the end bay 29, so that the light 32, 33, 34 are visible from aposition remote from the seat group 20. The lights 32, 33, 34 may be anysuitable light source, preferably a light-emitting diode (“LED”), butalso a small incandescent bulb.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, all of the lights 32, 33, 34 are“off” when all three of the seat backs 22B, 23B, 24B are properly intheir fully upright position. The lights 32, 33, 34 are “off” or “on”when a respective one of three seat backs 22B, 23B, 24B is not in thefully upright position, as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B. The indication givenby the light 33 draws the attention of an attendant and informs theattendant that the seat back 23B of the center seat 23 is not in thefully upright position.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, one preferred embodiment of thecircuit that includes the visual indicator and sensor is shownschematically. A proximity switch 40 is positioned between the seat baseand seat back. The proximity switch 40 includes two cooperating switchelements 41, 42 that close a circuit when brought into a predeterminedproximity with each other. Thus, as is shown in FIG. 7, an upright seatcondition separates the switch elements 41,42, opening the circuit andcausing a “light off” condition indicative of the seat back being in therequired fully upright condition.

[0050] Conversely, any position other than a fully upright positioncloses the circuit, causing a “light on” condition indicative of theseat back being in any position other than the required fully uprightposition.

[0051] An optional feature of the system is a master switch 45 that canbe used to switch off the system during normal inflight conditions aftertakeoff and before landing. The absence of the lights during normalflight prevents the flight attendants from being desensitized by lightsswitching off and on during normal in-flight activity. By activating thecircuits only during takeoff and landing conditions, the lights haveonly a single, unambiguous meaning and are not distractions at othertimes.

[0052] The particular embodiment shown schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8 isonly illustrative of many different means of detecting the position ofthe seat back. Many different types of devices, such as proximityswitches, limit switches, reed switches and the like can be used, aswill be apparent to those of skill in the art.

[0053] As is shown in FIG. 9, an alternative to placement of the visualseat position indicators on the individual seats or seat groups is theplacement of at least one display panel 60 containing at least one lightfor each seat group in the galley or other location other than thepassenger cabin. In very large aircraft, the indicator lights can beplaced on more than one panel and dispersed throughout the aircraft forobservation by attendants in various locations throughout the aircraft.Thus, the location of seats with seat backs not in the fully uprightposition can be identified from a central location.

[0054] Other iterations are possible. For example, the electronic seatcontrol unit found under the seat bottom on many first class seatsalready “knows” the position of the seat actuator, so that this positioncan be detected and used to illuminate the appropriate indicator lightsbased on the position of the seat back. In current seat designs, acentral controller is linked to a Passenger Control Unit (PCU) that thepassenger uses to actuate the seat. As well as having individual buttonsto control each separate function of the seat, the PCU typically hassingle buttons that can be pressed in order to cause the seat totranslate through a number of motions utilizing several actuators toachieve various frequently used positions, e.g., full lie-flat and thetake-off and landing positions. Thus, a further embodiment provides acontroller that illuminates a light on the PCU whenever the take-off andlanding position has been reached. As there are separate button/iconsfor this position, it may be that the icon becomes illuminated in aparticular color that would inform the cabin crew that the seat is inthe appropriate position.

[0055] Also, in another embodiment, the seat controllers in the cabinmay be linked to a central controller which the cabin crew can read. Thecentral controller can be used to provide information only regarding theposition of each seat or provide the cabin crew with the opportunity tocontrol, the seat from the central position

[0056] In a further embodiment, the central controller may be part of alarger cabin management master system that is linked to the seats. Thecentral controller could also be used for fault detection. In the eventthat passenger exercise features are provided on the seat, the centralcontroller could be used to validate that the passenger took appropriateactions during the flight to maintain their well being. The centralcontroller can be linked to the seat and used by the cabin crew to raiseall of the seats to the upright position between flights in order toprepare the cabin for the next flight.

[0057] The central controller can also used to store informationregarding each passenger, for example, passenger name, preferred seatsetting/adjustment, and to generate a welcome message. This data may berelated to the frequent flyer card.

[0058] Passengers may be provided with the opportunity to select frommenu options that are listed on the seat. The seat controller or Centralcontroller may be used to record maintenance data. For example, thenumber of cycles that each actuator has been through, thus, providingthe opportunity to predict and schedule maintenance. As can be seen,these features mean that the cabin crew does not have to botherpassengers in order to determine whether the seat is in the correctposition.

[0059] A visual seat position indicator is described above. Variousdetails of the invention may be changed without departing from itsscope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferredembodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing theinvention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not forthe purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.

I claim:
 1. A reclining passenger seat having a visual seat positionindicator, comprising: (a) a seat frame for being attached to asupporting deck; (b) a seat bottom carried by the seat frame; (c) a seatback carried by the seat frame and moveable relative to the seat bottombetween a fully upright and reclined positions; (d) a sensor fordetermining when the seat back is and is not in the fully uprightposition; and (e) a visual seat position indicator light operativelyassociated with the sensor and positioned so as to be observed by acabin attendant without having to directly observe the seat back fordetermining whether the seat back is in a fully upright position.
 2. Areclining passenger seat according to claim 1, wherein the passengerseat includes an end bay for being positioned adjacent an aisle, andwherein the visual seat position indicator light is positioned on theend bay.
 3. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 1, wherein thesensor comprises a proximity switch.
 4. A reclining passenger seataccording to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sensor is adapted to detectwhen the seat back is not in the fully upright position and to activatethe light to provide a signal that the seat back is not in the fullyupright position.
 5. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 1, 2or 3, wherein the visual seat position indicator comprises a light, andwherein the sensor is adapted to detect when the seat back is in thefully upright position and activate the light to provide a signal thatthe seat back is in the fully upright position.
 6. A reclining passengerseat according to claim 5, and including a master switch operativelyconnected between the sensor and the light for deactivating the positionindicator during times that a reclined seat back is permitted.
 7. Apassenger seat group comprising at least two reclining passenger seats,the seat group having a visual seat position indicator, each of thepassenger seats comprising: (a) a seat frame for being attached to asupporting deck; (b) a seat bottom carried by the seat frame; (c) a seatback carried by the seat frame and moveable relative to the seat bottombetween the fully upright and reclined positions; (d) a sensor fordetermining when the seat back is and is not in the fully uprightposition; and (e) a visual seat position indicator operativelyassociated with the sensor and positioned to be observed by a cabinattendant without direct observation of the seat back for determiningwhether the at least two seats are in a fully upright position.
 8. Apassenger seat group according to claim 7, and including an end bay forbeing positioned adjacent an aisle, and wherein the visual seat positionindicator is positioned on the end bay.
 9. A passenger seat groupaccording to claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises a proximity switch.10. A passenger seat group according to claim 7, wherein the visual seatposition indicator comprises a light, and wherein the sensor is adaptedto detect when the seat back is not in a fully upright position andactivate the light to provide a signal that the seat back is not in thefully upright position.
 11. A passenger seat group according to claim 7,8, 9 or 10, wherein the visual seat position indicator comprises alight, and wherein the sensor is adapted to detect when the seat backsare in the fully upright position and activate the light to provide asignal that all of the seat backs are in the fully upright position. 12.A passenger seat group according to claim 11, wherein said seat groupcomprises at three seats.
 13. A passenger seat group according to claim12, wherein the visual seat position indicator includes a singleindicator light adapted to activate when any of the three seat backs isnot in the fully upright position.
 14. A passenger seat group accordingto claim 13, wherein the visual seat position indicator includes asingle indicator light adapted to activate when all of the three seatbacks are in the fully upright position.
 15. A reclining passenger seataccording to claim 13, wherein the visual seat position indicatorincludes three lights adapted to activate to provide an indication ofwhen respective ones of the three seats backs are not in an uprightposition.
 16. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 12, whereinthe visual seat position indicator includes three lights adapted toactivate to provide an indication of when a respective seat back is inan upright position.
 17. A method of determining whether a recliningpassenger seat back is or is not in a fully upright position, comprisingthe steps of providing: (a) at least one reclining passenger seat havinga visual seat position indicator, comprising: (i) a seat frame for beingattached to a supporting deck; (ii) a seat bottom carried by the seatframe; (iii) a seat back carried by the seat frame and moveable relativeto the seat bottom between a fully upright and reclined positions; (iv)a sensor for determining when the seat back is and is not in the fullyupright position; and (v) a visual seat position indicator positioned ata location to be observed by a cabin attendant without directobservation of the seat back for determining whether the seat back is ina fully upright position; and (b) observing the visual seat positionindicator from a position remote from the seat to determine whether theseat back is in a fully upright position.
 18. A method according toclaim 17, and including the step of providing a plurality of passengerseat groups, each seating group including a plurality of passengerseats.
 19. A method according to claim 17, and including the step ofdeactivating the sensor during times that a reclined seat back ispermitted.